In a bold display of unity and defiance, Hindus for Human Rights, along with various other rights groups, illuminated Times Square with a powerful message. This demonstration was a protest against the Indian government's exploitation of Hindu religion for political gains. A coalition of rights groups orchestrated an impressive projection in Times Square, voicing their disapproval of the politicization of Hindu faith, coinciding with the Modi-led live stream of the Ram Temple consecration - an event that drew significant support from BJP followers.
The ceremony, which was met with controversy, saw the absence of all four Shankaracharyas, who are esteemed Hindu religious authorities. Their boycott stemmed from concerns regarding Prime Minister Modi's role in the ceremony. As Modi is not a religious figure, his leadership in a religious ceremony was deemed inappropriate and premature, especially since the temple was not yet complete.
Sunita Viswanath from Hindus for Human Rights expressed her dismay, stating, “This is obviously an electoral stunt, it should not be happening in the name of my faith. Modi is not a priest, so leading this ceremony for political gain is both technically and morally wrong. This weaponization of our religion tramples what’s left of India's secular democratic values.”
The event comes amid a broader context of diminishing civic and media freedoms in India, with Modi's party accused of jailing opponents, inciting ethno-religious violence, and suppressing dissent. The Ram Temple, in particular, has been a symbol of contention, often used by the BJP and its supporters to assert Hindu supremacy and threaten the erasure of Muslim communities.
Safa Ahmed from IAMC, the Associate Director of Media & Communications, emphasized this point: “There are countless examples of Modi, the BJP, and their supporters flaunting the Ram Temple as a symbol of Hindu supremacy and as a threat of further erasure of Muslims. This is a clear weaponization of Hinduism laced with anti-Muslim sentiment, and it must be called out as such.”
Ricken Patel, the founder of Friends of Democracy and human rights group Avaaz, remarked on the site's historical significance: “This site in India has long stood for the perverse exploitation of religion to cause strife and bloodshed for political gain. It’s fitting that Modi should effectively launch his 2024 election campaign here. He builds temples while razing democracy.”
This protest in Times Square stands as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for maintaining secular and democratic values in the face of political and religious manipulation.
